Acts 25:26

KJV

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of {G4012} whom {G3739} I have {G2192} no {G3756} certain {G804} thing {G5100} to write {G1125} unto my lord {G2962}. Wherefore {G1352} I have brought {G4254} him {G846} forth {G4254} before {G1909} you {G5216}, and {G2532} specially {G3122} before {G1909} thee {G4675}, O king {G935} Agrippa {G67}, that {G3704}, after examination {G351} had {G1096}, I might have {G2192} somewhat {G5100} to write {G1125}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, I have nothing specific to write to His Majesty about him. This is why I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa — so that after we have examined him, I might have something to write.

Berean Standard Bible

I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign one about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write.

American Standard Version

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 25:26 captures the Roman governor Festus's candid admission to King Agrippa II that he lacks concrete charges to send with the apostle Paul to Emperor Nero. Faced with the administrative necessity of providing a formal accusation for Paul's appeal to Caesar, Festus convenes this hearing, specifically leveraging Agrippa's expertise in Jewish matters, hoping to gain sufficient clarity and substance to compose his official report. This verse highlights both Festus's bureaucratic dilemma and the divine orchestration that placed Paul before influential leaders.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is spoken by Porcius Festus, the newly appointed Roman procurator of Judea, who inherited the complex case of Paul from his predecessor, Felix, who had left Paul imprisoned for two years ([Acts 24:27](/acts/24-27 "Acts 24:27 - Felix Leaves Paul Imprisoned")). Upon his arrival in Caesarea, Festus was immediately confronted by Jewish leaders from Jerusalem, who renewed their vehement accusations against Paul ([Acts 25:1-3](/acts/25-1-3 "Acts 25:1-3 - Jewish Accusations Against Paul")). Despite their fervent demands for Paul's condemnation, Festus, after hearing the case, found no evidence of a capital crime against Roman law. Paul, exercising his right as a Roman citizen, had appealed directly to Caesar ([Acts 25:11](/acts/25-11 "Acts 25:11 - Paul Appeals to Caesar")), obligating Festus to send him to Rome. However, Festus found himself in a quandary: Roman protocol required a detailed letter of accusation to accompany a prisoner sent to the emperor, but he had "no certain thing to write" that would make sense to the imperial court, as the charges primarily revolved around Jewish religious disputes concerning Jesus ([Acts 25:19](/acts/25-19 "Acts 25:19 - The Nature of the Jewish Accusations")). This verse sets the stage for the crucial hearing where Festus seeks Agrippa's counsel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman Empire, at this time, operated with a highly structured legal and administrative system. A provincial governor like Festus was accountable to the Emperor, and sending a prisoner, especially a Roman citizen appealing to Caesar, without clear charges was a serious breach of protocol and could reflect poorly on the governor's competence. King Agrippa II, along with his sister Bernice, were visiting Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea. Agrippa was a Herodian king, appointed by Rome, and was known for his extensive knowledge of Jewish customs, laws, and religious sects. This made him an invaluable resource for Festus, a Roman official likely unfamiliar with the intricacies of Jewish theology and the specific nature of the Jewish leaders' grievances against Paul, which stemmed from Paul's preaching about the resurrection of Jesus and his interpretation of the Mosaic Law. Festus's action demonstrates the Roman emphasis on due process, even when dealing with what seemed to him to be trivial religious squabbles.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the meticulous, albeit sometimes cumbersome, nature of **Roman Bureaucracy and Justice**. Festus's dilemma underscores the Roman commitment to due process; he could not simply dispatch a prisoner to the emperor without clear, documented charges, even if he personally perceived the accusations as baseless. This pursuit of [order and due process](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities") was a hallmark of Roman governance. Secondly, it showcases **Divine Providence** at work. God sovereignly orchestrated these circumstances, using a Roman governor's administrative problem to bring Paul before influential leaders like Agrippa. This provided Paul with yet another significant platform to proclaim the Gospel, fulfilling Christ's earlier promise that Paul would [bear His name before Gentiles and kings](/acts/9-15 "Acts 9:15 - Paul's Commission to Gentiles and Kings"). Lastly, the situation creates an unparalleled **Opportunity for Witness**. Festus's need for information inadvertently created one of the most powerful opportunities for Paul to share his testimony and the Christian message before a sophisticated and knowledgeable audience, detailed vividly in [Acts chapter 26](/acts/26 "Acts 26 - Paul's Defense Before Agrippa").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **certain (Greek, _asphalḗs'_):** Derived from a negative particle and a word meaning "to fail," this term signifies something "secure," "safe," or "sure." Festus uses it to convey that he has no "definite," "trustworthy," or "legally sound" accusation against Paul that would hold up in the Emperor's court. His report would be vague and indefensible without such certainty.
* **write (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This primary verb means "to grave," "to write," or "to describe." In this context, it refers to the formal, official report or letter that Festus was required to compose and send to Emperor Nero, detailing the charges against Paul as a prisoner appealing to Caesar. The act of writing here is not merely casual correspondence but a critical administrative duty.
* **examination (Greek, _anákrisis'_):** This noun denotes a "judicial investigation" or "scrutiny." Festus's purpose in convening this hearing before Agrippa is precisely to conduct such an investigation, a thorough review of the case, in order to extract the necessary information and legal clarity that he currently lacks for his official report.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord."**: Festus openly admits his administrative predicament. He has no clear, legally actionable, or understandable charge against Paul that he can confidently present to Emperor Nero ("my lord"). The Jewish accusations were rooted in religious disputes, which were foreign and largely irrelevant to Roman law concerning capital crimes.
* **"Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa,"**: This clause reveals Festus's motivation for the current assembly. Lacking the necessary information himself, he has presented Paul to the assembled officials, with particular emphasis on King Agrippa, recognizing Agrippa's unique qualification to understand the nuances of the Jewish religious context.
* **"that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write."**: This states the ultimate goal of the hearing. Festus hopes that through this judicial investigation and Agrippa's insight, he will be able to formulate a coherent and substantial report detailing specific charges against Paul, thus fulfilling his administrative obligation to the Emperor.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several effective literary devices. There is a strong sense of **Irony** present, as the Roman governor, representing the pinnacle of imperial law and order, finds himself utterly perplexed by a case and must rely on the expertise of a Jewish client-king to make sense of it. This highlights the cultural and legal chasm between Roman and Jewish jurisprudence. **Foreshadowing** is also evident; Festus's administrative need inadvertently sets the stage for Paul's most comprehensive and powerful defense of the Gospel before a high-profile audience, detailed in the subsequent chapter. This seemingly mundane bureaucratic hurdle becomes a divinely orchestrated platform for the advancement of God's kingdom. Finally, the use of **Direct Speech** allows Festus's frustration and administrative dilemma to be conveyed authentically, revealing his character and the immediate stakes of the situation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 25:26 underscores the profound truth that God is sovereign over all human systems, including political and legal ones. Festus's administrative quandary, far from being a mere inconvenience, becomes a divinely appointed catalyst for the advancement of the Gospel. God uses the meticulous, even frustrating, nature of Roman bureaucracy to create an unparalleled opportunity for Paul to bear witness to Christ before King Agrippa, fulfilling prophetic declarations about Paul's ministry. This demonstrates that God's purposes are not thwarted by human limitations or political complexities, but rather, He masterfully weaves them into His grand design. Paul's unwavering testimony, even while imprisoned, serves as a powerful example of faithfulness in adversity, demonstrating that the word of God is not chained, even when its messenger is.

* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")
* [Acts 9:15](/acts/9-15 "Acts 9:15 - Paul's Commission to Kings")
* [Philippians 1:12-14](/philippians/1-12-14 "Philippians 1:12-14 - Paul's Imprisonment Advances the Gospel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that God can and does use even the most mundane frustrations, bureaucratic hurdles, and administrative challenges of human systems to advance His eternal purposes. Festus's need for a clear report became Paul's evangelistic opportunity, transforming a legal necessity into a spiritual platform. For us, this encourages a posture of anticipation and readiness: to recognize that our daily lives, our workplaces, and even our moments of inconvenience can be precisely where God opens doors for witness. Our integrity, our steadfastness in faith, and our willingness to stand for truth, even under scrutiny or in complex situations, can create unexpected platforms for sharing the hope we have in Christ. Just as Paul's consistent witness, even in chains, provided an opportunity for the Gospel, so too can our lives. Furthermore, Festus's act of seeking expert counsel from Agrippa highlights the wisdom in seeking guidance and insight from those with specialized knowledge when facing complex issues, rather than attempting to navigate them alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond to bureaucratic hurdles or administrative frustrations in your life? Can you see how God might use such situations for His purposes?**
* **In what unexpected places or circumstances might God be opening doors for you to share your faith or live out your Christian witness?**
* **When faced with complex problems or decisions, who are the "Agrippas" in your life—those with wisdom or specialized knowledge—from whom you can seek counsel?**

### FAQ
**Why did Festus, a Roman governor, need King Agrippa's help to understand Paul's case?**

Answer: Festus, as a Roman official, was primarily concerned with Roman law and order. The accusations brought against Paul by the Jewish leaders were not related to typical Roman crimes like treason or rebellion. Instead, they revolved around intricate points of Jewish law, customs, and theology, particularly Paul's preaching about Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the dead ([Acts 25:19](/acts/25-19 "Acts 25:19 - The Nature of the Jewish Accusations")). Festus, likely unfamiliar with these religious nuances, found himself unable to articulate a clear, legally sound charge for Emperor Nero. King Agrippa II, however, was a Herodian king, well-versed in Jewish traditions and an expert in their religious disputes. Festus sought Agrippa's insight to translate the Jewish religious accusations into something comprehensible and legally reportable under Roman law, hoping to gain clarity for his official dispatch to Caesar.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 25:26, though a seemingly mundane administrative detail, profoundly points to Christ's ongoing work and the fulfillment of His kingdom purposes. Paul's predicament, caught between Roman bureaucracy and Jewish religious fervor, mirrors the very trials and opposition Christ faced, who was also unjustly accused and delivered to Gentile authorities by His own people. Just as Jesus's trial before Pilate ultimately served God's redemptive plan, so too Paul's appearance before Festus and Agrippa is part of the divine strategy to proclaim the Gospel to the highest echelons of society, fulfilling Christ's commission for Paul to [bear His name before Gentiles and kings](/acts/9-15 "Acts 9:15 - Paul's Commission to Gentiles and Kings"). This moment is a testament to the fact that the Gospel cannot be contained by human systems or legal constraints; rather, it uses them as conduits. Paul, the prisoner of Caesar, becomes the ambassador of Christ, demonstrating that the true King is not Nero, but Jesus, whose kingdom is advancing even through the mundane administrative needs of a Roman governor. This entire episode foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ's reign, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that [Jesus Christ is Lord](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Jesus is Lord"), even those who sit on earthly thrones.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 26:2

I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

Acts 26:3

Especially [because I know] thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.